Hou Mansion Songhe Hall.
The eldest wife, Xiao Wei, brought her daughter Gu Mei, and accompanied the old lady Wei to talk.
The old lady Wei asked casually: "When we were in the flower hall today, did Gu Yue and Gu Jiu have a lot of trouble?"
Gu Mei shook her head slightly, "Reporting to the old lady, it's not too bad."
"Talk to the old man."
Gu Mei hesitated.
The eldest lady Xiao Wei nodded at her, "Say what you want, don't worry about it."
Gu Mei responded, and then said: "Sister Gu Yue probably wanted to expose the nickname that Sister Gu Jiu had a sick child, but I didn't expect that Sister Gu Jiu not only confessed on her own initiative, but also took the opportunity to insinuate that Sister Gu Yue's mouth was broken. Brain. Sister Gu Yue lost face, but she was persuaded by Sister Gu Shan."
The eldest lady Xiao Wei frowned, "I really didn't expect that the girls in the house next door would start a fight on the second day after returning to Beijing. It seems that those girls have great conflicts."
The old lady Wei smiled, "Little girl Gu Jiu is clever and she is good at changing things."
Mrs. Wei nodded, "I really didn't see it at first. Gu Yue looks shrewd and powerful, but she is not as good as Gu Jiu. Those girls, compared roughly, are worse than Gu Jiu. It's just a pity that they are not strong enough. it is good."
Gu Mei hurriedly said: "Sister Gu Jiu said that her health is much better. She has been taking less medicine recently."
"That's good. Looking at Gu Jiu's complexion today, he really doesn't look like the rumored sick child."
Elder Madam Xiao Wei looked at Old Madam Wei again, "Old Madam, thank you brother and sister for entrusting us, do you want to do it?"
The old lady Wei said: "Let's do it. I have already promised her that I want to watch the marriage for Gu Yue, so I can't say nothing."
The eldest lady Xiao Wei frowned, "It's just Gu Yue's temper, which makes it hard to get along with. You have to be strong when you pinch the sharp point. It's hard to talk about her marriage. If she gets married and harms the man's family, then others should Blame me for being a matchmaker.
On the other hand, Gu Jiu, as long as he is in good health, it is not difficult to tell her a good marriage. That's a smart kid. People like us like girls who are smart and resourceful like her. "
The old lady Wei nodded repeatedly, "Now it seems that Gu Jiu has the ability to be a young mistress.
It's a pity that Mrs. Xie never gave Gu Jiu a chance to exercise. Gu Jiu has never been a housekeeper yet.
I have to take the time to tell Zhili that his girls are all grown up, and they should learn how to be housekeepers.
In a family like ours, girls can't be idiots. "
"The old lady is right. My daughter-in-law thinks the same way. We should find a way to mention Xie's siblings. Gu Jiu is also her daughter in name. If Gu Jiu can marry into a good family, he must support his brothers. sisters."
The old lady Wei laughed, "Mr. Xie doesn't seem like such a magnanimous person."
The old lady and Xiao Wei discussed these topics, but they didn't avoid Gu Mei. In fact, this is training Gu Mei.
Gu Mei's marriage is about to be finalized, and she will be married in half a year to a year at the most.
So the old lady and Xiao Wei seized the time to train Gu Mei.
Learn a little more about the world at your mother's house, so that you will not be in a hurry and deal with things calmly when you encounter problems at your husband's house.
The old lady Wei said to the eldest lady Xiao Wei: "You should pay more attention to Gu Yue's marriage. Help as much as you can. I have already promised Xie, so I don't want to go back on my word."
The eldest lady Xiao Wei was a little embarrassed, "With Gu Yue's temper, it's hard to find a marriage."
The old lady Wei said: "The capital is so big, you can always find a suitable family. No matter what, you have to come up with a few candidates. At least let people know that our Houfu has done its best."
The eldest lady Xiao Wei nodded, "I listen to the old lady. What about Gu Zhen's marriage?"
"As for the young master from the Haixibo mansion, look for opportunities to see each other, and find someone else if it doesn't suit you."
The old lady Wei made a final decision, and the little Wei's heart was settled.
It was quite late, Xiao Wei and Gu Mei bid farewell to the old lady and left Songhe Hall.
The mother and daughter returned to the big room.
The eldest wife Xiao Wei said to Gu Mei: "In the future, you will stay away from the girls in the Gu family next door, especially that Gu Yue and that Gu Zhen. These two children..."
Xiao Wei didn't say the rest. But looking at her expression, she also knew that Xiao Wei was very dissatisfied with Gu Yue and Gu Zhen. The performance of these two girls is really indescribable.
Gu Mei nodded in response, "I'll listen to my mother. Then sister Gu Jiu, do you want to avoid it too?"
Little Wei asked, "Tell me carefully what kind of person Gu Jiu is."
Gu Mei then described those experiences during the day in detail.
Little Wei nodded secretly, "He's a smart child, it doesn't matter if he has more contacts. But she is at home, and her stepmother Xie is in charge of her, so she must not be so comfortable. It may not be easy to go out. If you have a chance to meet in the future, you Take care of her."
"My daughter understands."
Little Wei let out a sigh of emotion, "It's a pity that sister Su, such a good person, left early. If she is alive, she must be very happy to see her daughter grow up so big."
Gu Mei asked curiously: "What kind of person is Gu Jiu's biological mother?"
Xiao Wei thought for a while and said, "She is a good woman."
The three words "good woman" describe Su's whole life.
When she was in her natal family, Su Shi was a good daughter. After marriage, she is a good wife. After having a child, she is a good mother.
It's a pity that life is limited, so I went early.
Gu Mei asked again: "Mother, Aunt Su passed away, is there something strange about this?"
Xiao Wei frowned, "There shouldn't be anything wrong. When she was a few months pregnant, Xie was pregnant next to her. When I went to visit her, she was depressed and couldn't think about it. In fact, when Xie gave birth to Gu Teng When it was time, your Aunt Su couldn't think about it.
Later, Xie became pregnant again, which aggravated her condition.
But at that time, something happened to Su's family, and she couldn't help, so the child was born prematurely.
You know what happened next. The Su family fell into decline, and Xie's eldest brother became an official of the East Palace, watching the Xie family become prosperous day by day. After all, this is life. "
Gu Mei said: "Sister Gu Jiu is also destined to grow up safely."
"Who said it wasn't. When I knew their family was going to the Northwest, I was worried that Gu Jiu wouldn't be able to raise the child."
The mother and daughter chatted for a long time. Gu Mei stayed in the upper room that night, and it was rare for the mother and daughter to sleep together.
…
In the morning, Gu Jiu woke up.
After washing, as soon as I went out, I felt a biting cold wind.
It rained last night and the temperature dropped sharply.
Winter in the capital has finally arrived.
Qing Mei hurriedly put the cloak on Gu Jiu.
"Girl beware of catching a cold."
Gu Jiu tightened her cloak, turned up her collar to block the cold wind blowing into her neck, and was about to go to the Furong Courtyard to pay her respects to Mrs. Xie.
Yesterday, such a big conflict broke out between her and Mrs. Xie, but today everything returned to calm.
Just do what you have to do, and it will not change because of yesterday's conflict.
After all, in the mansion, Gu Jiu will not avoid the things that Gu Jiu should do.
After all, Mrs. Xie is the head wife and mistress.
Gu Jiu will do it according to the rules, at least on the surface it will be hard to find fault. She won't be caught.
Gu Jiu took the maids out, and as soon as he walked outside the courtyard, he saw Guo Taohua, who was working in the Furong Courtyard, rushing over.
Guo Taohua ran up to Gu Jiu, "My servant greets the second girl. Madam ordered the servant to inform the second girl that there is no need to greet the second girl this morning."
Gu Jiu asked, "Is Madam sick?"
Guo Taohua hurriedly said: "Madam is not sick. I heard that Madam has received a message from Xie's family and will be a guest at Xie's house today."
Gu Jiu asked curiously: "When did the Xie family send you the post?"
Guo Taohua replied honestly: "The Xie family sent someone to deliver the post yesterday. At that time, the wife and the girls were having wine at the Hou Mansion."
Gu Jiu nodded knowingly, "Thank you for making a trip, I understand."
Guo Taohua quickly waved her hands, obviously not used to being praised. She was a little nervous, "All slaves should do. Slaves, slaves..."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Just say what you have to say."
Only then did Guo Taohua muster up her courage, and asked boldly, "I want to ask about Jiang Yan's whereabouts."
Gu Jiu raised her eyebrows, "Didn't Jiang Yan tell you?"
Guo Taohua shook her head.
Gu Jiu used the reasons he had prepared before to tell Guo Taohua: "Jiang Yan is sick, and she signed a contract of living, so she was sent out of the house. I don't know exactly where she went."
Guo Taohua was very worried, "Then she..."
"She has money and is smart, so you don't have to worry about her."
Guo Taohua was comforted, "Thank you, Second Miss."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Go and do your work, I should also go back to my room to rest."
Gu Jiu returned to Zhilan Courtyard.
A charcoal pot was burned in the study, and the room was very warm.
Gu Jiu took off her cloak, sat at the desk, and prepared to practice calligraphy.
She asked Qingmei: "Do you know where cousin Su's family lives?"
Qingmei nodded, "I know the address. It's just that I haven't been free for the past two days, and Er Zhuang hasn't had time to visit Master Biao of the Su family."
Gu Jiu said to Qingmei: "When you're done working for a while, you ask Er Zhuang to see Su's cousin. Just say that my brother and I invited him to visit."
Qingmei responded, and went to the outer courtyard to find Li Chuan to pass the message.
Back in the capital, everything else is fine, the only bad thing is that going out is greatly restricted.
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, is in charge of the house, and the door is strictly guarded.
It's almost impossible for Gu Jiu to repeat the old tricks, bribe the back door woman, and sneak out through the back door.
Now if he wants to communicate with the outside world, he can only rely on Gu Ting's servant, Li Chuan, to send a message. Work through Er Zhuang who lives outside the mansion.
Er Zhuang did not follow Gu Jiu into the mansion.
Gu Jiu asked Er Zhuang to rent a house in the capital, to live there first, and then make plans for the next step after understanding the situation in the capital.
Gu Jiu secretly sighed.
Talent ah talent.
What is most lacking in this era is loyal and reliable talents.
There are really too few people who can trust Gu Jiu and entrust things to them.
It would be appropriate to have a few maids around.
It's a pity that the maids can't leave the house easily, let alone work outside for her.
Gu Jiu wrote five pages in one go, and she was quite satisfied.
Qingmei came back from the outside, carrying the winter chill.
Seeing her, Gu Jiu asked, "Is it raining again?"
Qingmei nodded, "It's drizzled a little, I don't know if it will rain heavily."
Gu Jiu said: "It's raining, I wonder if my wife will go to Xie's house as a guest at another time."
Qingmei said: "When the servants came back from the outer courtyard, they saw the wife's carriage leaving the house. The third young lady, the fourth young lady, the sixth young master, and the eighth young master all followed."
Gu Jiu understood with a smile.
At this time, Wang Yi came in with a cup of warm tea, "Girl, drink tea."
Gu Jiu looked at Wang Yi, and suddenly asked curiously: "Can you fly to the roof?"
Wang Yi was stunned for a moment, but didn't seem to react. Immediately afterwards, she waved her hands again and again, "I don't have that skill. I'm pretty good at playing sticks, but I can't climb as high as the roof. But ordinary courtyard walls, I can't trouble you."
It turns out that there is no light work!
Gu Jiu was a little disappointed.
She thought of the Mr. Liu she met in the northwest, without even moving, the boat rushed out like an arrow and sailed unimpeded in the lotus pond.
It seems that Wang Yi's force value is not in the same order as that of Mr. Liu.
Gu Jiu asked Wang Yi again, "Are you still used to it when you arrive in the capital?"
Wang Yi nodded again and again, "I can eat enough every day, slaves are very used to it."
Gu Jiu laughed, "It's good to get used to it. Ask Qingmei, Qingzhu, and Xiaocui if you don't understand anything. If you have any difficulties, feel free to ask them."
"There is no difficulty for the servant. The parents and brothers of the servant are gone, and there is only the servant left in the family."
This topic is a bit heavy.
Gu Jiu cared a few more words, and let Wang Yizi get busy.
Gu Jiu sat in the study, writing, drawing, reading, and the day passed quickly.
This is the third day back to the capital.
The first two days have been a flurry of nonsense, either this or that.
Nothing happened today, and I spent it peacefully. Apart from being surprised, I also felt a little uncomfortable.
Qingmei came in with a snack, and said with a smile: "Girl, don't expect anything to happen. It's rare to be quiet, so let everyone spend this year well."
Gu Jiu pursed her lips and smiled, "I just said it casually."
Qingmei put the snacks on the table and said: "My servant heard from Xiaocui that my wife has just entered the second gate."
"Is the lady back?"
Qingmei nodded, "I'm back. I heard from Xiaocui that the clothes worn by the Sixth Young Master are different from the ones that he went out in the morning. They should have been changed. Xiaocui also said that when the Sixth Young Master talks to his wife, he is always indifferent." .”
Huh
Gu Jiu was curious.
"Xiaocui went to the second gate to see?"
Qingmei smiled, nodded and said: "Xiaocui knows that the girl cares about the wife, and when she heard that the wife came back, she ran to the two to guard. She just came back and said a few words, then ran out again. She said yes Hibiscus Court finds those little maids to eat snacks with."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Now Xiao Cui is a veritable inquisitor."
Qingmei sighed, "I used to think that Xiao Cui was stupid, and her brain was not clear. I never thought that she could also make inquiries and do it so well."
Gu Jiu pursed her lips and smiled, Xiao Cui's innate skills were probably all about inquiring about news. Serving people is really not very good, that's why everyone thought Xiao Cui was stupid before.
…
After a few days, there were rumors in the mansion that the Xie and Gu families were getting married.
Hearing this rumor, Gu Jiu was stunned for a moment.
Xie Gu's two families got married? impossible.
When he was in the northwest, Mr. Gu had made it clear that he would not marry the Xie family.
Why is it that the Xie and Gu families are going to get married now
It feels so strange.
Gu Jiu was wondering where the rumors came from, and Xiao Cui ran in to report.
"Miss Qi, Mrs. Xie brought Mrs. Xie's young master to the house to visit. Madam asked everyone to meet guests at Furong Courtyard."
Gu Jiu blinked and asked Xiaocui, "Are you sure it's Mrs. Xie's family?"
Xiaocui nodded, "It's absolutely true. This servant saw Mrs. Xie leading Mrs. Xie's young master into the Furong Courtyard."
strangeness.
Master Gu made it clear that he wanted to turn against the Xie family.
But from what we see now, the Xie and Gu families are clearly in a normal relationship.
A few days ago, Mrs. Xie went to Xie's house as a guest.
Today, Mrs. Xie brought someone to the door.
Did Mr. Gu change his mind and want to continue to get along with Xie's family friendly
Gu Jiu came to the Furong Courtyard with doubts.
When approaching the gate of the courtyard, I met Gu Zhen and Gu Lin who rushed over.
"I heard Mrs. Xie is here." Gu Zhen was very curious.
Gu Lin curled her lips secretly, her eyes contemptuous.
Gu Jiu said: "Let's go in. It's not good to keep the guests waiting for too long."
"Second sister is right."
Walking into the Furong Courtyard, I heard bursts of laughter coming from the main room.
Chunhe raised the curtain and walked out from the main room, "Eldest girl, second girl, fifth girl, you're here, my wife has been waiting for you for a long time. Three girls, please come in."
"Sister Chunhe has worked hard."
Gu Jiu stepped forward and held Chun He's hand. A small purse was put into Chunhe's hand.
With a smile on his face, Chun He calmly accepted the purse.
"Slaves don't work hard, it's what slaves should do. Second girl, go in quickly."
"Isn't the master here?" Gu Jiu asked meaningfully.
Chunhe said: "Master went to the Ministry of Officials. I heard that I will drink with some classmates at night."
It turns out that Mr. Gu is not in the mansion.
Gu Jiu pursed her lips and smiled, "Thank you, Sister Chunhe."
"The second girl killed the slaves."
Gu Jiu let go of Chun He's hand, and walked into the main room first.